Your Body Is Telling You Something Important

Your body is sending you messages – are you ignoring what it’s trying to tell you?

Far more than just an “earthly home” for you to dwell in, God has masterfully designed your body in such a way that if you’re paying attention, it’s offering a wealth of information!

Warning Systems

God has cleverly integrated remarkable warning systems into your body to alert you that something is off much like the warning systems your automobile is equipped with. Even base model cars have a check engine light. Other instruments including odometers, speedometers, and fuel indicators are standard features that all cars have to help you and I circumvent some seriously inconvenient moments!

Newer cars are loaded with additional features to help you avoid potential accidents including…

• BSW – blind spot warning
• FSW – forward collision warning
• LDW – lane departure warning and rear-cross traffic warning.

If you’ve been driving an older model vehicle, it might surprise you that new cars now also have the ability to brake and correct your steering just in case you miss the warnings.

God’s Warning Systems

Long before car manufactures included warning systems in their cars, God created your incredibly complex body to alert you to potentially dangerous situations too. Isn’t that amazing?

Of course, you have to be paying attention to the warnings and know what they are revealing! Sadly, those warnings are often overlooked in the midst of juggling your numerous responsibilities, racing through life, and rarely resting the way He designed you to.

For example, when you are stressed, there are warning signs. That’s why your head aches, your shoulders are tight, or you experience insomnia. Your body is trying to communicate something to you. The trouble is that you often dismiss the warning signs and keep on trucking. That’s not good!

All those aches and pains, gut issues, skin issues – even reseeding gums, and so much more are all your body’s attempt to let you know that something is out of whack; there’s something you need to deal with!

Heed the Warning

What if you heeded the warnings and understood the thoughts, beliefs, and feelings that were contributing to your stress? Then you’d be in a position to proactively make adjustments and do something!

I’ve previously suggested some ways to combat stress and even why you might be addicted to stress. However, perhaps the more important issue is tuning in to the fact that you are stressed in the first place. In an effort to press on, meet goals, and be successful, are you overlooking what your body is trying to tell you? Are you missing the warning signs?

Mind-Body Connection

God knew what He was doing – there’s a very real connection between the mind and body. Did you know that…

• Emotions & feelings reveal themselves in physical ways?
• Undealt with emotions tax your immune system and leave you vulnerable to disease?
• Fear, stress, and anxiety are at the root of many autoimmune diseases?
• Un-forgiveness and resentment negatively affect your health?
• Complaining and dwelling on negative thoughts impact your body’s ability to heal?
• Relational issues between God, yourself (not loving or accepting yourself), and others hinders healing?
• Words are powerful; self-talk and what you say to others is either a blessing or a curse?
• Fear is behind issues with your brain, central nervous system, heart rhythm, skin, hair, eyes, and nose?
• Guilt leads to issues with bone marrow, lymph glands, muscular and skeletal systems, and the kidneys?
• Shame shows up with problems in the liver, lungs, intestines, and the endocrine system?
• You may do all the “right” things medically and still not heal if the underlying emotional and spiritual issues aren’t addressed?

It’s normal to experience a little stress here and there or to have an ache or pain now and then. However, ignoring physical signs on an ongoing basis is as detrimental as ignoring your car’s warning signals.

Function At Your Best!

You know that leading or operating at your best occurs when you are healthy and relaxed, which means you have to make hard choices in order to be in that state.

Functioning at your best, hinges on you leading yourself well and in a way that honors all of you – not just the work you, but the physical, spiritual, and emotional you too! You are an integrated person. That’s why it’s so vital that you tune into what you are thinking, feeling, and doing in all facets of your life: spiritually, emotionally, physically, intellectually, financially, relationally, as well as work and leisure. When you neglect one area of your life, the other areas suffer.

How can you increase your awareness, tune into your emotions, and recognize what your body is telling you?

1. Practice Healthy Boundaries

You are human. Humans have limits! You were designed to connect and not to perpetually work or rest. What boundaries do you need in place to…

• • • Protect your work and rest?
    • Honor your relationships?
    • Align with your values, goals, and passions?
    • Operate at your best?
    • Tune in to what you are really thinking or feeling?

You only have 24 hours each day. It’s up to you to prioritize wisely and having boundaries in place makes that possible.

If boundaries are a challenge for you, watch this.

2. Regularly Take Breaks & Vacations

Working 24/7 takes a toll on your health!

I love, love, love my work, but working all the time no matter how much I enjoy it, isn’t healthy! My ability to perform improves when I regularly take breaks and chunks of time away on vacation. Typically, I return from time away ready to implement the many new ideas that seem to flood my mind when I’m relaxed and away from work.

3. Develop A Habit of Reflection

I challenge you to regularly take time to reflect. There’s nothing more valuable than the information you glean during that time. And it’s an opportunity to notice any warning signs that might be there. Here’s more on getting started with a habit of reflection.

4. Practice Solitude

For some, being alone is a treat. For others, it’s pure torture. Either way, solitude is a valuable opportunity reconnect with yourself and God. Unlike the habit of reflecting, time spent alone is solitary time spent thinking or engaged in a solo activity that brings you joy. It’s time without distractions so you are more likely to hear the messages your body is sending.

5. Work With a Coach

A coach who understands the mind body connection is an invaluable resource! They are able to help you uncover the underlying thoughts and feelings that are contributing to your physical symptoms so that healing is possible. Then you are able to move forward with living and working successfully.

Tired of being held back by physical issues? Ready to move forward?  Perhaps it’s time to enlist the help of a coach.

Just a side note – if you want to look back and work through the emotions of the past that’s a good thing! That’s the perfect job for a counselor, therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist.

6. Lean Into Who God Created You to Be

Frequently fear is encouraging your out-of-balance and stress inducing behaviors that are taking a toll on you physically. Rather than trying to prove your fears wrong, there’s a better way! Lean into who God created you to be! When that’s your focus, everything else has a way of falling into place. Learn more.

At Bare Minimum…

Even older cars keep tabs on speed, fuel levels, and mileage. Doesn’t it make sense to be mindful of how fast you are doing life and whether or not you have sufficient energy to keep going? Maybe it’s time to start pay attention to your body’s warning systems.

What important warning signs is your body trying to send you?

The post was originally posted on 7/11/17 – it’s been revised and updated just for you!

© Can Stock Photo / smarques27